Amwell Township woman arraigned

An Amwell Township woman was arraigned Thursday before District Judge David Mark on charges filed by state police after she allegedly concealed the whereabouts of a 14-year-old Canton Township girl earlier this month.

Jade Alexa Rea, 19, of 145 Lone Pine Road, is charged with concealing the whereabouts of a child, interfering with custody of a minor and corruption of minors.

Police were called April 18 to a home on Crescent Drive in Canton Township. The girl’s stepfather reported the girl as a runaway and told police she had been hanging out with Rea.

Police called Rea, who claimed she was fishing with friends. She told the trooper the girl was not with her and the last time she talked to the 14-year-old had been the previous day. Rea also promised to call if she heard from the girl.

The 14-year-old returned home April 20. She told police Rea had picked her up April 18 at a church at Cortez and Beatty drives, in Canton near her home.

The girl said she spent that night with Rea at her home. She said they then went to Bentleyville, where they camped out with three teenage boys. She told police she smoked marijuana, but she denied drinking alcohol with the others.

She told police she asked one of Rea’s friends to give her a ride home. The girl was dropped off along Jefferson Avenue near the former Wolfdale School and walked to her home.

Rea was released on $25,000 unsecured bond with orders not to have contact with the girl. A preliminary hearing is set for May 22 before Mark.

Kathie Warco

Staff Writer

Kathie O. Warco has covered the police beat and transportation for the Observer-Reporter for more than 25 years. She graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in journalism.